My body felt as if it was floating on clouds as I listened to a low animal cry out into the sky. Slowly I opened my eyes to find them looking at me from the trees. My body was pressed up against Andrew's chest, and instantly I realized he was carrying me. The sound of the waterfall was long gone, and I could feel the shift in the weather as my body clung closer to Andrew, "Are you finally up?" He asked after a moment. Closing my eyes, I wanted to ignore him. But my pride was way too big to allow this man to carry me anymore, no matter how much I enjoyed the closeness. Slowly I looked up to him and nodded.
"You can put me down." I said. Andrew's body tensed for a moment, but slowly he leaned down. And as my feet touched the cold ground I instantly regretted my decision, I stretched my arms out as I started to walk, "Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked him.
"Well, at first you looked so peaceful. I know you haven't been sleeping well. Then I tried to wake you when I realized it was getting late. But, you refused." He said and chuckled.
"Oh." I said and scratched my head, instantly trying to push my hair down, "I'm sorry, I must have been really tired."
"You were." Andrew said as he pulled out the SUV's keys, "We are already back at the car."
"You carried me that whole way?" I asked him, shocked.
"No problem for me." He said.
Andrew walked towards the passenger side and opened the door for me. I climbed into the cold vehicle and leaned my head against the seat. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't tired. I watched as Andrew opened the door and climbed into the vehicle, but as he turned the engine on I found my eyes falling asleep once more. The last thing I heard was his deep chuckle.
"Is it her?" A strange voice asked, as I tried to find warmth in what I believed to be my bed. What was going on? Who was that? What happened to the car? My mind rushed with questions as I held my eyes closed.
"It's hard to say." A man's voice replied. Then after a moment I could hear a sigh and a woman muffled a cry, "It's not her." The man said out loud.
"Are you sure Ben?" Another's man asked.
"Of course I am. She doesn't have the scent." The man replied slightly annoyed.
"Then why is she here?" The woman asked.
"I'm not sure, but she won't be for long." The man named Ben said in anger.
After a moment there was silence. Taking in a deep breath I pulled the blankets closer to me. I was correct. I was in the bed I've been sleeping on. I slightly opened my eyes. Only then, I could see the figures that have been the cause of my nightmares. A couple was by my head, and a man by my feet. Right beside my bed, so close. Inches away from my body and slowly he turned. My blood ran cold as I looked at the thick age lines on his face, his black eyes and his chapped pale lips. He had thin facial hair and long nails as he looked at my body. Fear raced through my body as I let out the loudest scream I could master.
The scream instantly made the intruders aware that I was awake. Fear froze me in the bed as I pulled the blankets closer to my body as my heart raced in my chest. But, before they could do or say anything the door busted open and Andrew rushed into the middle of the room, "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Andrew asked as he flicked the lights on. Only once I heard him, did I lift up and look into my empty room. No one was in my room, the man that was so close to me was gone.
Warm tears were now falling down my face as I sat up in the bed. I held onto my blanket as my hands shook violently. "Someone was here." I cried and looked up to Andrew, "They said that I won't be here for long." I said after taking a few deep breaths.
"Was it just a nightmare?" Andrew asked as he looked at me and then around the room. I took a deep breath and placed a hand on my racing heart.
"There were people in the room Andrew." I cried and looked at him, "I heard them, please believe me. There was someone here."
"I believe you." Andrew said as he sat on the edge of the bed, "Did you recognize them?" He asked and rubbed his eyes.
I took in his appearance then, the room was dark so it must be in the middle of the night. He had on a sleeveless shirt and black loose sweatpants. His hair was pointing in every direction, and since there wasn't any danger his tired state was back. Only now could I see the bags under his eyes, and the soft drool from the side of his face. Before I could look anymore at him he turned and looked at me.
Guilt instantly filled my body as I shook my head, "I'm sorry I scared you." I said after a moment and smoothed out my blankets, "It was just a nightmare," I said after a moment.
"It's okay." Andrew said and softly smiled, "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"I'll be fine." I said and smiled.
"Okay, I'm going to head back to my bed. If you need anything let me know." He said and got off of the bed. He then stopped walking as he walked towards the open window, "I could have sworn I closed this." He said and shook his head. He pulled the window down and locked it in place as he walked towards the door.
"I'll turn the light off." I said as I looked at my fully dressed body.
Slowly I got out of the bed and pulled on a pair of shorts and a large t-shirt. I stretched my arms out as I turned the lights off and walked back to my bed. Taking in a deep breath I tried to calm my racing heart to fall back asleep. But, sleep wasn't coming for me. I tossed and turned in the bed as I remembered the face, I've seen the shadows but never the face. The black eyes were all I could see every time I closed my eyes. Their voices, was it a nightmare? If it was someone, why didn't they harm me to stop me from screaming?
After a few hours I found my eyes being glued open. Ready to catch the shadows that were ruining my sleep. I laid in my bed staring at the opened door that led to Andrew. My body shook in fear as I took in a deep breath. I was on guard, I was waiting to be killed. It felt as if someone was watching me, ever since Andrew left the room. And as I found the courage to look at my window my suspicions were confirmed. A pair of black eyes stared at me as light gleamed in their eyes. I was out of my bed in second tripping and falling in the hall as I crawled towards the wall. I leaned forward and grabbed the doorknob, closing the door without looking back at the window. My chest started to burn as I rested my arms behind my neck. Tears started to invade my eyes. Was I finally losing my sanity?
After shedding a few tears I stood in the dark hallway and rubbed my burning eyes. With a soft groan my feet started to walk before my mind could process what was happening. My stomach flipped as I pushed open the half closed door. My feet stumbled to walk towards the larger bed as I stood over Andrew. He looked so peaceful as he held onto a dark blue pillow, this was wrong. I shouldn't be here. I knew I shouldn't be here but I still crouched beside the bed.
"Andrew." I whispered softly. His eyes softly opened to look at me, "Can I sleep with you?" I asked him. Andrew didn't say anything as he opened his arms and the blankets. Without really thinking of what I was doing I climbed in the bed and leaned against his stomach. His arm softly fell, but kept its distance. It wasn't touching my body as it hovered my waist. Half asleep and not caring I pushed down on that arm. I then grabbed hold of his forearm and wrapped my arms around it. I pulled his open hand up to my face, only then did I curl my body into his and let my face fall against his warm hands. Relief and relaxation filled my body as I closed my eyes.
When I became aware of where I was, the sun rays were falling against my face. The bed was cold as I clung onto Andrew's blanket. Realization hit me harder than his punches ever did as I sat up in his bed. My hand quickly raced to smack my forehead, what the hell was I thinking? My body felt well rested, but at the same time I felt like a fool. Why would I climb in bed with Andrew? Why didn't I just close my eyes and suffer through the night like I did every night before? Why did I allow last night to happen?
So many questions rushed through my head as I thought of the black eyes staring at me. But, before I could think anymore of the events of last night Andrew walked into the room, "Good morning." He said and looked towards me. He tried to hide his smirk as he offered me a plate of breakfast, "I made some breakfast. You'll need some energy if you want to go to the market."
"Thank you." I said as I grabbed the plate and softly placed it on the nightstand, "I'm sorry-"
"Don't be." Andrew said and smiled towards me, "I think that has to be one of the best nights I've ever had." He said as a dark red color started to invade his cheeks. I couldn't help but blush as I looked down at the blanket that was still wrapped around my body.
"I sleep well when I'm by you." I agreed softly then started to eat the eggs he had made. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the taste, "You are such a good cook." I added.
"Really?" Andrew asked and smiled widely, "I thought you didn't like my cooking." He said as he leaned against the door.
"Not like your cooking?" I asked and laughed, "Everything you've made has been amazing."
"Really?" Andrew looked at me as if I was a new person,
"Are you kidding?" I asked and softly giggled, "You are the best cook I've ever met."
Andrew held a proud smile on his lips as he walked back downstairs. I couldn't help but have a stupid smile on my face as I finished my generous breakfast. Once I was finished, I slowly got up and walked to my bedroom. Nothing had changed from last night, the window was still locked. I sighed relieved as I started to pick out an outfit for today. I wanted to go with something a little bit heavy, like jeans and a sweater. Yesterday was brisk cold, and I wouldn't want to make a mistake of underdressing.
As I pulled the gray sweater I smoothed it down my chest. My hands touching the thick material, instantly I felt overdressed, but warmed. I pulled my hands out of the sleeves and brought them to my lips as I looked at the small mirror. Truthfully, I've always ignored my reflection. But today, there was something different in my relaxed face. My skin looked bright and vivid, and my hair seemed to fall more smoothly down my body.
As I pushed my hair back I wondered if this was the effect of the mate bond. My thoughts on Andrew have changed dramatically. When I thought of being with him, something seemed to set on fire inside of me. As I thought of my action last night, I wanted to smack myself.
In my whole life I never had a relationship or someone to talk to. Was I moving too fast? Should I still be mad at him? Was I going mentally insane? Why did I feel this way when I thought of him? All these questions made my head feel dizzy. But there was one thing I didn't need to question. And that was my bond. I knew now that I wanted Andrew.
If I truly wanted to refuse the bond, I wouldn't have gone into his room, I wouldn't have allowed him to place his hands on me. Everything in my body wanted his touch, wanted to be close to him. So why should I fight against this anymore? I couldn't help but bite my lower lip as I smiled at my face.
Instantly I remembered the blogs I read. Everything that I've read, and saw, I knew one thing. I wouldn't get his attention with this sweater. I remember reading an article about women dressing provocatively for men's attention. The same way as they took pictures for fake likes. I get it now, I've worn a tank top around him, but maybe something more. I didn't put my all in the bond, but at the same time he hasn't either. I wanted to change that today.
Going to my dresser I started to shuffle through the clothes and pulled out the make up Sheila had gotten me. Today, I wanted to look more than Victoria, the human living in the basement. I wanted to look like Victoria, the one who seduced a werewolf. So with a rub of my hands, I was ready to start my mission.